On Thorns I Lay - _Angel Dust_(Black Lotus, 2001)by: David Rocher (5.5 out of 10)

After four releases on the French label Holy Records, On Thorns I Lay have apparently felt the urge to review and streamline their musical course; thus, gone are the label and the "atmospheric gothic metal" tones of yore, as On Thorns I Lay have now signed to Black Lotus, and released a far less ornate, much simpler fifth landmark in their career. Much as their former works were reminiscent of _Aegis_-day Theatre of Tragedy laced with _Alternative 4_-era Anathema, _Angel Dust_ thrives on post-_Discouraged Ones_ Katatonia and more recent Theatre of Tragedy -- finely etched, cleverly laid-out and competently played gothic metal. However, much as this may sound enticing, there is one major flaw on On Thorns I Lay's latest release: it's quite simply frightfully boring. With the exception of one or two tracks (in particular, the beautifully moody title track), _Angel Dust_ sounds like a "Listener's Digest" of all that has occurred in the vast gothic metal scene over these past few years -- it's not that _Angel Dust_ is bad, far from it, but it's just not good enough to appear as anything but a fleck on the works of the bands that have obviously moved and influenced On Thorns I Lay to create an album such as _Angel Dust_.